Question

Which of the following is not a trend followed during the evolutionary history of land plants?

• A. Absence of seeds to presence of seeds
• B. Independent gametophyte to dependent gametophyte
• C. Non-flowering to flowering
• D. Dominance of sporophytic generation to dominance of gametophytic generation

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Independent gametophyte to dependent gametophyte

In lower plants such as Bryophytes, a dominant gametophyte phase is seen on which the adult sporophyte is dependent for nutrition. The embryo sporophyte develops by cell division of the zygote within the female sex organ or archegonium, and in its early development is therefore nurtured by the gametophyte. Independent gametophyte (in which the sporophyte is dependent on gametophyte for nutrition) is seen in higher plants showing alternation of generation such as angiosperms. So the trend in the evolutionary history of land plants is from dependent gametophyte to independent gametophyte.

So, the correct option is 'Independent gametophyte to dependent gametophyte'.